Anti-peptic ulcer substance from corydalis tubers

ABSTRACT

1. A PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION FOR TREATING PEPTIC ULCERS COMPRISING AS THE ESSENTIALLY ACTIVE INGREDIENT DEHYDROCORYDALINE CHLORIDE IN ADMIXTURE WITH A PHARMACEUTICALLY ACCEPTABLE CARRIER, SAID COMPOSITION BEING IN THE FORM OF A TALET CONTAINING 15.0 MG. OF DEHYDROCORYDALINE CHLORIDE.

United States Patent 3,849,561 ANTI-PEPTIC ULCER SUBSTANCE FROM CORYDALIS TUBERS Junzo Iwasa, 24, Kouriumatsuka-cho, Nishikyogoku, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Japan; Shunsuke Naruto, 843, Higashino-cho, Uriwari, Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Osakashi, Japan; Noboru Ikeda, 326-2, Nagayoshinagaharacho, Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Osaka-shi, Japan; Keiji Nakamura, 5-4, Aza, Akiuaga, Nishimuko, Amagasakishi, Hyogo-ken, Japan; and Yukiuobu Sohji, 851, Oaza, Takayanagi, Neyagawa-shi, Osaka-fu, Japan No Drawing. Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 735,162, June 7, 1968, which is a continuation-in-uart of application Ser. No. 649,103, June 27, 1967, which in turn is a continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 493,267, Oct. 5, 1965, all now abandoned. This application Apr. 20, 1971, Ser. No. 135,594

Claims priority, application Japan, Oct. 20, 1964, 39/59,633; July 28, 1965, ill/45,681 Int. Cl. A61k 27/00 U.S. Cl. 424-458 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method of treating peptic ulcers by oral administration of an active substance from Corydalis tubers, prefer ably Corydalis bulbosa D.C., or dehydrocorydaline, composition therefor and processes for the preparation thereof.

RELATION TO OTHER APPLICATIONS BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a new therapeutic method for the treatment of peptic ulcers and new pharmaceutical compositions therefor and methods for the preparation thereof.

More particularly, it relates to a method for the treatment of peptic ulcers by administering an active substance from the tuber of Corydalis genus or dehydrocorydaline, also to pharmaceutical compositions suitable for such treatment and processes for the preparation of the said active substance and dehydrocorydaline.

Some kinds of the tuber of Corydalis genus have been called Yanhusuo in China, Engosaku in Japan and Corydalis tuber in Europe. They have been used as an important medicament as analgesic and anti-spasmodic in Chinese Medicine and in Homeopathic therapeutics. Also it was a home remedy in folk medicine in various parts of the world. However, heretofore no one has discovered that. a substance extracted from the tuber of Corydalis genus and dehydrocorydaline which is a main active component of the said substance are particularly useful in the treatment of gastric ulcers.

The present invention results from a study of the tuber of Corydalis genus. It has now been discovered that the tuber of Corydalis genus includes an anti-peptic ulcer active substance, and then the processes of preparing this product at low cost have been discovered too.

The tuber of Corydalis genus of the present invention is a tuber of a plant belonging to the genus Corydalis, including Corydalis bulbosa D.C., Corydalis bulbosa DC. var. typica Regel, Corydalis ambigua Cham. et Schlecht., Corydalis aurea Will., Corydalis nakaii Ishidoya, Corydalis decunbens Pers., Corydalis remota Fisch. var. genuina Maxim, Corydalis ambigua Cham. et Schlecht. var.

"ice

amurensis Maxim. and Corydalis tuberosa D.C. Among these varieties, Corydalis bulbosa D.C., Corydalis ambigua cham. et Schlecht., Corydalis ambigua: Cham. et Schlecht. var. amurensis Maxim, and Corydalis tuberosa D.C., more particularly, Corydalis bulbosa DC and Corydalis ambigua Cham. et Schlecht. are preferred. These tubers contain a large amount of alkaloid, more particularly dehydrocorydaline.

Corydalis bulbosa DC. and Corydalis ambigua Cham. et Schlecht. are called Chinese Corydalis. The commercial article, however, may include tubers of other varieties.

One object of the present invention is to provide the medical profession with an improved method of treating peptic ulcers by the administration of an active therapeutic substance extracted from Corydalis tubers and dehydrocorydaline.

Another object of the present invention is to provide therapeutic compositions suitable for the aforesaid method of treatment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a process for the formulation of the aforesaid therapeutic composition.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a substance containing anti-peptic ulcer active principles from the aforesaid tuber of Corydalis genus.

A still further object is to provide processes for the preparation of the aforesaid active substance and dehydrocorydaline.

According to the present invention, it has been found that the substance from the tuber of Corydalis genus and dehydrocorydaline produced a strong anti-ulcer activity which was clinically proved later. Furthermore, no remarkable side effect, generally induced by cholinolytic drugs, was encountered.

Although the principal ingredient of the said strong action is believed to be dehydrocorydaline, the active substance of the invention apparently contains also tertiary bases such as tetrahydropalmatine, protopine and the like, which enhance the anti-ulcer activity. The present active substance from Corydalis tubers and dehydrocorydaline possess superior anti-ulcer activity Without any anticholinergic activity. The mechanism of the activity may be due to a sympathetic action. The activity was ex perimentally confirmed by suppression of gastric secretion, excretion of pepsin and augmented intestinal motility.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The active substance of the invention is obtained by the following procedure. A tuber of Corydalis genus is repeatedly extracted with a solvent including water, a lower alcohol such as methanol, ethanol and propanol, or mixtures thereof. The combined extract is concentrated by evaporation under reduced pressure and the concentrated extract is acidified to a pH value between 1 and 4 by addition of dilute organic or mineral acid, such as acetic, tartaric, citric, hydrochloric, hydrobromic or sulphuric acid. The fat present in the aqueous solution is removed by extracting with a hydrocarbon solvent such as the socalled petroleum ether or petroleum benzin. The defatted acidic layer is made alkaline to a pH value between 7.5 and 12, preferably between 9 and 10, with ammonia, alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, alkali metal carbonate such as sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate or alkali metal bicarbonate such as sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate. The resulting precipitate is filtered ofi from the defatted alkaline solution and filtrate is extracted with a halogenated hydrocarbon such as chloroform, dichloromethane, trichloroethane and carbon tetrachloride. Being separated from the mixture and then being preferably acidified or neutralized with alcoholic hydrogen chloride,

the halogenated hydrocarbon layer is evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to give an active fraction A.

The active substance may be also prepared by direct extraction from the defatted alkaline solution with a halogenated hydrocarbon above-mentioned without filtration step. The active fraction obtained in this way is designated fraction B.

Each of the fractions A and B thus obtained possesses strong anti-ulcer properties and is valuable for clinical use, as shown below.

The dehydrocorydaline used in the present invention may be in a form of its salts such as mineral acid salts, e.g. chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrate or sulphate or organic acid salts, e.g. tannate, glycyrrhizate, anisate, gallate, benzilate, D-glucoronate or citrate having the following formula:

wherein A- is an anion.

This compound may be prepared by extracting from tubers of Corydalis genus, but may be more commercially prepared by a synthetic method, i.e. by the following procedure.

Fifth step CHI (VII) ornoO CHaO- N CH: C O CH:

Sixth step CH;

OCH3

(VIII) CIIaO CHaO- In the above scheme, X is a halogen atom, Y is a halogen atom or sulphate anion, Z is a halogen atom, sulphate anion or methylsulphate anion, R and R are each hydrogen atom or methyl group and A is the same as defined above.

In the first step, berberine halide (II) is reacted with acetone in the presence of alkali such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, potassium methoxide or potassium ethoxide to give 8- acetonylberberine (III).

The resulting 8-acetonylberberine (III) is reacted with a methyl halide, e.g. methyl chloride, methyl bromide or methyl iodide to give 13-methylberberine halide (IV) in the second step. The reaction may be carried out by heat-'- ing at approximately 8012.0 C. for several minutes to several hours, preferably 30 minutes to 3 hours in an autoclave or in a sealed tube. Although the obtained Iii-methylberberine halide (IV) is in a state of admixture with berberine halide (V), it can be readily purified by utilizing difference of solubility into organic solvents, that is, 13- methylberberine halide (IV) can be separated from the mixture by extracting With an organic solvent such as dichloromethane or chloroform.

In the third step, the separated l3-methylberberine halide (IV) is subjected to cleaving of methylenedioxy group to give novel compounds (VI). For cleaving of methylenedioxy group, the 13-methylberberine halide (IV) is reacted with anhydrous aluminium chloride, preferably in an aromatic hydrocarbon such as benzene, toluene or xylene and followed by hydrolysis with water or a mineral acid such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid or hydroiodic acid at a room temperature or preferably at an elevated temperature. Alternatively, the l3-methylberberine halide (IV) is reacted in direct with a mineral acid such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid or hydroiodic acid or phloroglucin-sulphuric acid to cleave methylenedioxy group. Thus obtained novel compounds (VI) are a mixture of 13-methyl-2,3,9,10-tetrahydroxy-7, 8,l3,13a-tetradehydroberbinium salts (in the formula (VI), R and R are both hydrogen atom), 13-methyl-l0- meth0xy-2,3,9-trihydroxy 7,8,13,13a tetradehydroberbinium salts (in the formula (VI), R is hydrogen atom and R is methyl group) and 13-methyl-2,3-dihydroxy 9,10-dimethoxy-7,8,l3,13a tetradehydroberbinium salts (in the formula (VI), R and R are both methyl group). The ratio of the mixture is varied by reaction reagents and the reaction condition. However, these mixture can be used for the next step as it is, i.e. without purification.

In the fourth step, the obtained compounds (VI) are methylated by reacting with a conventional methylating agent such as dimethyl sulphate or methyl iodide to give dehydrocorydaline salts (VII) which are a mixture of various kinds of salts such as chloride, bromide, iodide, sulphate or methylsulphate.

The obtained dehydrocorydaline salts (VII) are led to the desired single salt of dehydrocorydaline by the following fifth and sixth steps.

In the fifth step, the dehydrocorydaline salts (VII) are led to 8-acetonyldehydrocorydaline '(VIII) in the same manner as in the first step, i.e. by reacting with acetone in the presence of alkali. The dehydrocorydaline salts (VII) obtained by the fourth step may further include a small amount of impurity such as partially methylated compounds, eg 13-methyl-9-hydroxy-2,3,IO-trimethoxy- 7,8,l3,13a-tetradehydroberbinium salt. However, the impurity can be readily separated out in this fifth step, that is, the partially methylated compounds may be changed to their alkali metal salts soluble in water in the fifth step and then readily separated out from the insoluble 8-acetonyldehydrocorydaline (VIII).

In the sixth step, 8-acetonyldehydrocorydaline (VIII) obtained above is reacted with an acid in a solvent such as water, methanol, ethanol or mixture thereof to give a desired dehydrocorydaline salt (I). The acid used in the reaction maybe an inorganic acid such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, nitric, sulphuric acid or the like or an organic acid such as tannic, glycyrrhzic, gallic, benzilic, anisic, D-glu'curonic, citric acid or the like.

I The desired salt of dehydrocorydaline may be alternatively prepared as follows:

A salt of dehydrocorydaline is converted into its free base by reacting with an alkali metal hydroxide or alkoxide such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium methoxide or potassium ethoxide and then the free base is reacted with an acid above-mentioned. A1- ternatively, a salt of dehydrocorydaline is passed through 6 a column of an anion exchange resin conditioned for desired acid.

The active substance from Corydalis tubers and dehydrocorydaline of the invention may be administered orally in a variety of forms, such as tablets, powders or capsules. Various vehicles, binders and lubricants which are compatible with the active substance are employed such as starch, lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, sugar, magnesium stearate or the like, as is well known in the art.

For treatment of peptic ulcers by the active substance from Corydalis tubers and dehydrocorydaline in humans the required dosage per day is within the range of 0.1 to 10 mg. per kg. of body weight and 0.1 to 7 mg. per kg. of body weight, respectively. A preferred dosage per day is within the range of 0.5 to 5 mg. per kg. of body Weight and 0.3 to 3 mg. per kg. of body weight, respectively, more particularly the range of 1 to 2 mg. per kg. of body weight and 0.8 to 1.5 mg. per kg. of body weight, respectively. The total dosage may be orally administered in smaller portions three or four times daily, as determined by the attending physician.

The preparation of the active substance from Corydalis tubers and dehydrocorydaline and the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition containing the active substance of dehydrocorydaline are set out in the following examples which are illustrative but not limiting.

EXAMPLE 1 5.0 kg. of powdered tuber of Corydalis bulbosa D.C. were extracted four times, each for 4 hours with 16 liters of methanol. The combined extracts were evaporated under reduced pressure and thus concentrated extract was added to 2 liters of 10% by volume aqueous acetic acid. This mixture was treated with 300 g. of petroleum ether (b.p. 30-40 C.) to remove the fat. The aqueous acidic layer was then made alkaline with gaseous ammonia to pH 9 and filtered. The filtrate was extracted several times with 3.5 liters of chloroform. The combined chloroform extracts were dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate, and concentrated by evaporation under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in ml. of methanol and then neutralized with methanolic hydrogen chloride. Methanol was evaporated under reduced pressure and there was ob.- tained 24.5 g. of the fraction A as yellowish brown powder for subsequent clinical use.

EXAMPLE 2 5.0 kg. of powdered tuber of Corydalis bubosa D.C. were extracted four times, each for 4 hours with 16 liters of methanol-water (5:1 v./v.). The combined extracts were evaporated under reduced pressure to yield a concentrated aqueous methanol extract of the tuber of Carydalis bulbosa D.C. This extract was added to 2 liters of 10% by volume aqueous acetic acid and fat was removed by extraction with 300 g. of petroleum ether (b.p. 30-40" C.). The aqueous acidic layer was made alkaline to pH 9 with gaseous ammonia, and extracted several times with 3 liters of chloroform. The combined chloroform extracts were dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was added to 300 ml. of ethanol and then neutralized with ethanolic hydrogen chloride. The mixture was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to yield 50 g. of the fraction B as a yellowish brown powder suitable for subsequent clinical use.

The fraction B had .the following extinction coeflicients in the ultra-violet and visible spectra:

A (E12,) 228 m (530-545), 280 mp. (280295), 340 my (l75), 430 mu (35-45).

EXAMPLE 3 5.0 kg. of powdered tuber of Corydalis bulbosa D.C. were extracted four times, each for 4 hours with 1 6 liters of methanol. The combined extracts were evaporated under reduced pressure and thus concentrated extract was added to 2 liters of 10% by volume aqueous acetic acid. The mixture was treated with 300 g. of petroleum ether (b.p. 30-40 C.) to remove fat. The aqueous acidic layer was then made alkaline with 10% by weight sodium hydroxide aqueous solution to pH 9 and filtered. The filtrate was extracted several times with 3.5 liters of chloroform. The combined chloroform extracts were dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and concentrated by evaporation under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in 100 ml. of methanol and then neutralized with methanolic hydrogen chloride. Methanol was evaporated under reduced pressure and there was obtained 24.5 g. of the fraction A as yellowish brown powder suitable for subsequent clinical use.

EXAMPLE 4 5.0 kg. of powdered tuber of Corydalis bulbosa D.C. were extracted four times, each 4 hours with 16 liters of methanol-water (5:1, v./v.). The combined extracts were evaporated under reduced pressure to yield a concentrated aqueous methanol extract. The extract was added to 2 liters of by volume aqueous acetic acid and extracted with 300 g. of petroleum ether (b.p. 30-40 C.) to remove fat. The aqueous acidic layer was made alkaline with 10% by weight sodium carbonate aqueous solution to pH 9, and then extracted several times with 3 liters of chloroform. The combined chloroform extracts were dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was added to 300 ml. of ethanol and then neutralized with ethanolic hydrogen chloride. The mixture was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to yield 50 g. of the fraction B as a yellowish brown powder suitable for subsequent 12.5 mg. of the fraction B obtained by Example 2 and the other materials were mixed and granulated with a starch paste. The mixture was passed through a No. 12 mesh screen. The wet granulate was dried overnight in a oven at 40 C. The dried granulate was passed through a No. 16 mesh screen, and was mixed with the magnesium stearate. The mixture was compressed into fiat-faced tablets containing about 12.5 mg. of the active substance per tablet.

EXAMPLE 6 Tablets were made of the following formulation.

Dehydrocorydaline chloride 15.0 Microcrystalline cellulose 75.0 Corn starch 8.0 Light silicic acid anhydride 1.0 Magnesium stearate 1.0

Total 100.0

EXAMPLE 7 820 g. of the powder of the tuber of Corydalis ambigua Cham. et Schlecht. var. amurensis Maxim. were extracted four times, each for 4 hours with 6 liters of ethanol-water (5 :1, v./v.). The combined extracts were treated in the same way as described in Example 2 to give 4.4 g. of the fraction B which showed similar physical constants to those of fraction B in Example 2.

8 EXAMPLE 8 (a) To 3 kg. of berberine chloride were added 3 liters of water and further 15 liters of acetone and 10 liters of 50% by weight sodium hydroxide aqueous solution. The mixture was violently shaken for 5 minutes in a separating funnel. The acetone layer was separated. After concentrating the acetone solution, the resulting precipitate was recrystallized from acetone to give 2.42 kg. of 8- acetonylberberine.

(b) 1.1 kg. of thus obtained 8-acetonylberberine was heated with 3 liters of methyl iodide for 3 hours at C. in an autoclave. The reaction mixture was evaporated to remove the excess methyl iodide. To the resulting residue was added 100 liters of dichloromethane. The dichloromethane solution was collected and evaporated to remove the solvent. The resulting residue was recrystallized from methanol to give 600 g. of 13-methylberberine iodide.

(c) A mixture of 100 g. of 13-methylberberine iodide, 500 g. of anhydrous aluminum chloride was heated on oil both at ISO- C. with agitation for one hour. The reaction mixture was added to a diluted hydrochloric acid cooled with ice. The reaction mixture was heated on water bath for one hour and then ice-cooled. The resulting precipitate was separated by filtration and recrystallized from methanol to give 70 g. of 13-methyl-2,3,9,IO-tetrahydroxy-7,8,13,13a-tetrahydroberbinium chloride as a brownish yellow crystal having a decomposition point of 250 C.

Elementary analysis for C H O NCl: Calculated: C, 62.34%; H, 4.65%; N, 4.04%; Cl, 10.22%. Found: C, 62.38%; H, 4.78%; N, 3.93%; CI, 10.25%.

(d) To 300 ml. of water was suspended 75 g. of 13- methyl-2,3,9,IO-tetrahydroxy 7,8,13,13a tetradehydroberbinium chloride. To the suspension were added with agitation 1 liter of 10% by weight sodium hydroxide aqueous solution and 250 ml. of dimethyl sulphate. After reacting at room temperature for 5 hours, the mixture was treated with concentrated ammonia to decompose the excess dimethyl sulphate and then made acidic by adding hydrochloric acid. The mixture was ice-cooled and the resulting precipitate was separated by filtration to give 80 g. of dehydrocorydaline mixed salts.

(e) To 1.5 liters of water was dissolved 80 g. of above obtained dehydrocorydaline mixed salts. To the solution was added 50 ml. of acetone and 45 g. of sodium hydroxide and the mixture was agitated to give a precipitate of 8- acetonyldehydrocorydaline. The precipitate was separated by filtration, dissolved into hot diluted hydrochloric acid and filtered. The filtrate was cooled. The resulting precipitate was separated by filtration and recrystallized from ethanol to give 55 g. of dehydrocorydaline chloride as yellow needles having a melting point of 176-180 C. (decomp.).

Elementary analysis for C H O NCl-3H O: Calculated: C, 57.95%; H, 6.63%; N, 3.07%; Cl, 7.78%; H O, 11.86%. Found: C, 58.03%; H, 6. 8%; N, 3.14%; Cl, 7.76%; H O, 11.72%.

In the above (e) step, various kinds of acids were used instead of hydrochloric acid to give the following various salts:

M.P. C. (dec.) Dehydrocorydaline bromide 210-212 Dehydrocorydaline iodide 236-238 Dehydrocorydaline nitrate 245-247 Dehydrocorydaline tannate 207-212 Dehydrocorydaline glycyrrohizate 221-224 Dehydrocorydaline gallate 248-249 Dehydrocorydaline benzilate 184-188 Dehydrocorydaline anisate 160-163 Dehydrocorydaline D-glucuronate 168-170 Dehydrocorydaline citrate 206-208 Extracts and dehydrocorydaline prepared in accordance with the foregoing procedure were administered to labora- 9 1o tory test animals following established procedures and TABLE 2 were found to exhibit unexpected and desirable pharmacological properties. The following examples are represeni tative of such determinations. Dehydrocorydaline used in Drugs sla Salivation g i d gi lfitlwmg examples was m a form of its hydrochloric Control /10 EXAMPLE Atropine sulphate (1). (i5 5&5 4 5 The antispasmolytic activity of fraction B and dehy- 8:2 drocorydaline was compared with several conventional h antispasmolytic agents, by the conventional isolated gui- 10 De S nea pig ileum test. The results (ED in g./ ml.) are shown 2 in Table 1. i 5}? TABLE 1 FraetlonB 2.5 5/5 Anti- 7.5 5 5 acety Antl- Anti- 5-0 5/5 Drugs choline BaCl histamine 3 FraetionB 2.1 10 1.9x10- 4. 5x10- Dehydrocorydaline 1. 5X10- 5 10- 5x 10- l 3335253232213855553331: 5313 3.. 1 f. R l Fracmm B and dehydmcmydaline 11min- Papaverine a.2 1o- 2.4 1o 4.6 10- hlblt pllocarpine-induced salivation in mice, while atro- 1 Dose of acetylcholine chloridplxws glmL pine significantly mlnbits the sa1d response. Dose ofBaCli= 1X10- g./m1. 8 Dose or histannne=5X 0" gJmL (b) Inhibitory action on tremorine-mduced salrvation The active substance (fraction B) and dchydrocorydaand tremor line have weak spasmolytic action on isolated ileums of guinea pig as shown above. But their action is not M Tremorme 9 g; Was lnlected Intraatropine-like action but papaverine-like action. Propanperltoneany to male dd-m16 We1ghlng igd the theline bromide, which has been widely used as a cholidrugs to be tesfed admllllstered t0 anlmal f nolytic agent, shows strong anti-acetylchloline action 90 120 'q p y, bef0fe th6 lnlectlon of (against low concentration of acetylcholine chloride) as tfemol'me- The Sallvatlon and tremor Induced y well as atropine sulphate. morine were noted as shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Salivation Tremor Dose, mg./kg., 90 120 50 50 so 120 Drugs SA}. 111111. mill. 111111. mm. H1111. 111111. 111111. 111111.

Control 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 Atropine sulphate.-.. 30 0/5 0/5 0/5 0/5 0/5 0/5 0/5 0/5 10 0/5 o/5 o/5 o/s 0/5 0/5 0/5 o/5 5 41 5 0 5 0/5 0/5 0/5 0/5 0/5 o/5 hd dali 20 55 55 55 55 55 55 55 De y mow He 10 545 55 5&5 5&5 55 545 545 545 5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 FractionB 15 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 7.5 5/5 5 5 5/5 5 5 5/5 5 5 5/5 5 5 2.5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 1 Number of mice with salivation/total number of tested mice. 2 Number 01 mice with tremor/total number of tested mice.

EXAMPLE 10 The influence on the parasymapthomimetic agents of fraction B and dehydrocorydaline was demonstrated in three animal tests as follows:

(a) Inhibitory action on the pilocarpine-induced salivation Method: Male dd-mice weighing 18-20 .g. were given intraperitoneally with pilocarpine hydrochloride (0.2 mg./ mice) and the induced salivation was observed for several hours after the injection. The results are set forth in the following Table 2.

Result: Fraction B and dehydrocorydaline do not inhibit tremoline-induced salivation and tremor in mice, while atropine significantly inhibits the responses.

(c) Influence on the pupil-diameter in male dd-mice TABLE 4 (Pupildiameter in mm.)

Mydriatic activity Dose, mg./kg., 0 15 30 60 Drugs s.e. min min. mm. min. min. min.

Control 0 0. 44 0. 50 0. 52 0. 48 0. 43 0. 44

Atropine sulphate... 0. 002 0. 43 0. 30 0. 97 0. 60 0. 45 o. 38 0. 004 0. 53 1. 70 2.13 1. 98 1. 10 0. 82 0. 006 0. 60 1. 70 2. 20 1. 98 1. 60 1. 14

Dehydrocorydaline 0. 02 0. 46 0. 46 0. 50 0. 46 0. 40

Fraction B... 2. 5 0. 36 0. 36 0. 33 0.34 0. 32 0. 3 7. 5 0. 39 0. 32 0. 31 0.32 0. 29 0. 3 15. 0 0. 33 0. 29 0. 33 0. 31 0. 29 0. 3

11 Result: Fraction B and dehydrocorydaline do not show the pupil dilation.

From these results it will be apparent that the active substance from Corydalis tubers and dehydrocorydaline Result: Dehydrocorydaline exhibits pepsin content and gastric secretion.

EXAMPLE 12 Antigastric ulcer activity in pylorus ligated rats Method- H Shay et al.: Gastroenterol. vol. p. 43

o in -11ke 5 exhfblt hme cetylfmohne an p 1945. Male W1star rats: fasting for 48 hours and pylorus action, and that their anti-secretory activity is not atributaligation for 18 hours. The data so obtained are shown in ble to anti-cholinergic mechanisms. Table 6.

TABLE 6 Gastric volume, Dose, mL/lOO g Number mg./kg., of body Drugs of rats s.c. weight Control 75 7. 16

Fraction B 50 5. 23 10 100 a. 21

Dehydrocorydaline 4 6. 25 6. 18 4 12.5 3.39 4 25 0. 79 4 50 0.43

Atropine sulphate- 8 5 5. 89 e 3.86 6 1.69

Papaverine HCl 5 50 8. 01 5/5 1 Ulcer index: of E. Adami et al; Arch. intern. Pharmacodyn. Vol. 147, page 113, 1964- 0=no lesion; 1=hem0rrhage; 2=15 small ulcer (3 mm.) 3=many small ulcers (more than 5) or single large size ulcer (more than 3 mm); 4=many large ulcers; 5=periorated ulcer.

2 Number of rats with ulcer rumen/number of tested rats.

3 Number of rats with gastric perforation/number of tested rats.

EXAMPLE 1 1 Influence on the pepsin activity in gastric juice and gastric juice volume in the pylorus ligated rats Method: Male Wistar rats weighing 200-220 g. were used. The pylorus ligation was performed during ether anaesthesia and then the animals were sacrificed by overdose of ether. For six hours after the sacrifice, gastric juice volume was measured. The pepsin activity was determined by the method of Anson et al. (J. Gen. Physiol.,

TABLE 7 ,reqJrat Gastric Dose, Ulcer juice, ml./100 Number mg./kg., Free Total Ulcer per of body Drug of rats s.c. acidity acidity pH index total weight Control 4 279. 2 483. 1 1. 70 2. 67 4/4 8. 6

Dehydrocorydaline- 4 7. 5 211.0 372. 1 1. 70 2. 00 4/4 6. 2 4 12. 5 188. 2 316. 5 1. 0.75 1/4 3. t 4 25. 0 39. 9 90. 2 1. 55 0.00 0/4 0. :5

vol. 22, p. 79, 1933). The results are set out in the follow- Result: Dehydrocorydaline significantly reduced the ing Table 5.

55 free acidity, total acidity, pH, ulcer index and gastric juice volume.

TABLE 5 EXAMPLE l4 Gastric Eff h in ect 'n Dose, pepsin (m1. mug s on 183111121 2h activity H111 the dog with mg./kg., Nugnbg c/oinfientj bod ilg; 0 or e aln pouc Dm s.c. 0 re me rs. weig E q Method: Male mongrel dog with Heidenhain pouch Control. 6 1659i1-81 weighing 9.5 kg. was given the drugs to be tested at one Dehydrocorydaline..-

2 2.33823 i-gighour before the subcutaneous injection of histamine HCl do 5 1 ,1 1 (0.1 mg/kg.) and pyribenzamine H Cl (1.25 mg./kg.). 12.0 5 2.16:l=0.17 0.57:1:0.11 Gastric uice collected for next 50 minutes was as shown in Table 8.

TABLE 8 Dose, Gastric Gasmg./kg., secretion, Free acidity, Total acidity, tric Drugs s.c. ml. meq., total/ml. meq., total/ml. pH

FractionB 50 0.4. 0. 003 0. 0075 0. 027/0. 0675 3.15

Dehydrocorydaline 6 8.4 0.815/0. 097 1.234/0. 147 1.00 10 2.5 0. 087/0. 035 0.287/0. 2.10

13 Result: Fraction B and dehydrocorydaline inhibited the histamine-induced gastric secretion in the dog with Heidenhain pouch.

EXAMPLE 1s Anti-fasting ulcer activity EXAMPLE 15 M th d T l Wt t h' 250 5 a e o: omae isar ras weig mg g. were Effects on hhstatpme actwlty the dog wlth a slmple administered drug to be tested daily with fasting for 7 gastric fiStu-la (Wltzels gastrostomy) days, and further 10% glucose (50 ml./kg., p.o.) daily Method: Histamine sulphate (0.1 mg./kg.) and pyri- (E. Adami et al., Arch. Intern. Pharmacodyn., vol. 147, benzamine HCl (1.25 mg./kg.) were injected subcutanep. 113, 1964). The results are shown in Table 12.

TABLE 12 Gastric ulcer Glandular Rumen Number Dose,

Drug of rats IngJkg. Percent Index Percent Index Control 9 Saline 67 1. 44 100 3. 67 Fraction B 7 100 86 2. 00 85 2. 29

1 The same index as in Example 12.

ously one hour after the drugs to be tested were subcutane- EXAMPLE '19 ously administered to the dog. For next 1.5 hours, gastric juice was collected for analysis of the volume, free acidity and total acidity. The results of this demonstration were as shown in Table 9.

' TABLE 9 Dose, Gastric Free Total mg./kg., secretion, acidity, acidity, Drugs s.c. ml meq. meq.

Contro1 54.1 5. 336 6. 831 Fraction B 50 15. 7 0.880 1. 340 Dehydrocorydaline 23. 0 1. 820 2. 310

Result: Fraction B and dehydrocorydaline inhibited the histamine-induced gastric secretion, free acidity and total acidity in the dog with .a simple gastric fistula.

EXAMPLE 16 Anti-stress ulcer activity Method: Male and female Wistar rats weighing 100 g. were subjected to stress by fasting for 24 hours and then restraint for next 18 hours using the method of Brodie et a1. (D. A. Brodie and H. M. Eanson, Gastroenterology, vol. 38, p. 353, 1960). After restraint, stomach was removed and the degree of ulceration was graded according to the same manner as in Shay rats (Example 12.). The results are shown in Table 10.

TABLE 10 Ulcer Number Dose, Ulcer index 1 Drugs of rats mg./kg. incidence glandular Controlm; 12 Saline 66. 7 2. 89 Fraction B 7 100 50.0 2. 31

Dehydrocorydaline 5 12.5 60. 0 2. 22

1 The same ulcer index as in Example 12.

EXAMPLE 17 Anti-cortisone ulcer activity Method: To male Wistar rats weighing 150 g., fasting for 18 hours, were administered subcutaneously cortisone acetate (10 rug/rat) and drug daily for next four days with fasting (A. Robert and J. A. Nezamis, Proc. Soc. Exptl. Biol. Med., vol. 99, p. 443, 1958). The results are shown in Table 11.

TAB LE 11 Dose, Ulcer Number mg./kg., Ulcer index 1 Drug of rats s.c. incidence glandular Control 10 Saline 100 3. 78 Fraction B 5 100 2. 50

1 The sameindex as used in Example 12 Effect of vagotomy on the inhibitory action of dehydrocorydaline to the gastric secretory function in rats Bilateral vagotomy at the caudal site of diaphragma was performedto rats for studying the influence of vagotomy on the inhibitory action of dehydrocorydaline to the gastric secretory function. After vagotomy, the secretory volume of gastric juice was measured. The pylorus of rats was ligated at 24 hours before the measurement of the volume of gastric juice. The results are shown in Table 13.

As shown in Table 13, the volume of gastric juice in rats was significantly reduced by vagotomy. On the other hand, the anti-secretory action of dehydrocorydaline was not affected by vagotomy.

TABLE 13 Gastric juice Dose, volume, mg./kg., Number nil/ g. of Drug s.c. of rats body weight Intact normal rats:

Control 8 7. 655:0. 631 Dehydrocorydaline 25 5 0. 795:0. 093 Yagotornized rats:

Control 7 1. 905:0. 318 Dehydrocorydaline... 25 7 0. 595:0. 242

EXAMPLE 20 Eifect of adrenalectomy 0n the inhibitory action of dehydrocorydaline to the gastric secretory function in rats 'TAB LE 14 Gastric juice Dose, volume. Number mg./kg., ml./100 g. of Drug of rats s.c. body weight Adrenalectomized rats:

Contr 10 2. 835:0. 807 Dehydrocorydaline-.- 8 6 2. 285:0. 439

* Intact normal rats:

Control. 6 3. 775:0. 881 Dehydrocorydaline 5 6 0. 945:0. 238

15 EXAMPLE 21 Effects of reserpine and dopa(3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) on the inhibitory action of dehydrocorydaline to the secretory function in rats Reserpine, dopa and/or dehydrocorydaline, alone or in a combination as shown in the following Table 15, were administered subcutaneously to some groups of rats in a dose of 4 mg. per kg., 200 mg. per kg. and 6 mg. per kg. of body weight, respectively. Dehydrocorydaline was administered at the same time as pylorus was ligated. Reserpine and DL-dopa were administered at 24 hours and 30 minutes before the pylorus ligation and the effects of reserpine and/ or dopa on the anti-secretory action of dehydrocorydaline were observed. The results are shown in Table 15.

As shown in Table 15, the anti-secretory action of dehydrocorydaline was significantly suppressed by pre-administration of reserpine but not by dopa. When dopa was administered after administration of reserpine, the elfect of reserpine on the anti-secretory action of dehydrocorydaline was slightly inhibited.

EXAMPLE 22 Effects on blood pressure and pressor responses induced by acetylcholine, epinephrine and nicotine in cats To cats anesthetized by administering intraperitoneally 35 mg. per kg. of body weight of sodium pentobarbital was administered intravenously dehydrocorydaline, and then the effects of dehydrocorydaline on blood pressure was observed. To other groups of anesthetized cats were injected intravenously acetylcholine (1 ng./kg.), epinephrine (3 g/kg.) or nicotine (5 ng/kg.) and further dehydrocorydaline, and then the influences of dehydrocorydaline on the change of blood pressure induced by acetylcholine, epinephrine or nicotine were also observed. The results are shown in Table 16.

As shown in Table 16, the administration of dehydrocorydaline in doses of 0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 mg. per kg. of body weight caused the lowering of blood pressure which came back to the normal level within about 1-5 minutes. Dehydrocorydaline did not alter the depressor response induced by acetylcholine or the pressor response induced by nicotine. The pressor response induced by epinephrine was potentiated by 1 mg. per kg. of body weight of dehydrocorydaline, but on the contrary, inhibited by 3 mg. per kg. of body weight of dehydrocorydaline.

TABLE 16 Maximal Dose, response, Duration, Drugs mgJkg. mm. Hg minute 1 Dehydrocorydaline 0. 1 4. 0 0. 5 0.3 -17.4 1.6 1.0 -3l.2 2.2 3.0 84.0 4.3

Acetylcholine. 42.0

Acetylehollne plus dehydrocorydallne 1.0 -42.5 3.0 41.8

1 p p%rlne.-: +5 -9 ne nne us e y rocory l ue- .3 1.0 +60.1 100 Nico e +18.8

Nicotine plus dehydrocorydaline. 1. 0

1 Period from the administration of dehydrocorydaline till coming back to pre-administration level.

16 From the results in Examples 9, 10, 19, 20, 21 and 22, it is suggested that sympathetic mechanism may be involved in the action of dehydrocorydaline on the gastric secretory function.

EXAMPLE 23 Effect on catecholamine uptake in rat atrial muscle Adult Wistar rats were sacrificed and the heart was quickly removed and preserved in an oxigenated Krebs- Henseleits solution. The atrium was then isolated and incubated with l-norepinephrine (5 10- g./m1.) at 37 C. for 10 minutes. After the incubation, the atrium was rinsed briefly with a Krebs-Henseleits solution, blotted on filter paper, weighed and then its amine contents were assayed. The drugs to be tested were added at minutes before the incubation. The effect of dehydrocorydaline on amine contents, i.e. the effects on the uptake of norepinephrine in rat atrial muscle was compared with that of imipramine: 5-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-10,11- dihydro-SH-dibenzo[b,f]azopine which has been used as antidepressant. The results are shown in Table 17. 7

As shown in Table 17, both of dehydrocorydaline and imipramine at medium concentration of 1 10- and/or 5 10- g./ml. greatly inhibited the uptake of norepinephrine. These results indicate that dehydrocorydaline may effectively block the membrane amine pump.

The effect of dehydrocorydaline on monoamine oxidase activity was examined both in vivo and in vitro by using the manometric method (K. Nakamura, Y. Masuda, H. Tatsumi and K. Fujimoto: Jap. J. Pharmacol., vol. 13, p. 186, 1963). In vivo experiments, Wistar male rats were used, and dehydrocorydaline was injected subcutaneously at various time before the sacrification. The effect of dehydrocorydaline on monoamine oxidase activity was compared with those of nialamide: isonicotinic acid 2-[2- (benzylcarbamoyl)ethyl]hydrazide and iproniazid: isonicotinic acid 2-isopropylhydrazide. The results are shown in Tables 18 and 19.

As shown in Tables 18 and 19, dehydrocorydaline in a dose of 30 mg. per kg. of body weight in vivo or 10" g./ml. in vitro, did not inhibit the monoamine oxidase activity of brain, liver and stomach, while nialamide and iproniazid significantly inhibited the said activity.

TABLE 18 Monoamine oxidase activity #1. Dose, Time after /100 mg./60 min. Number mg./kg., administra- Drugs of rats 5.0. tion, hour Brain Liver Stomach Control 0 28. 50:5. 53 60.82:|:5.07 13. 98il. 58

Dehydroeorydaline 5 30 3 27. 72:1;1. 53 631013.36 10. 1411. 63 5 30 e 27. 001:0. 07 54.48315. 12.08:!=1.82 5 30 24 26. 50:110. 71 510814.00 13. 48=i=0. 84

Nialamide 5 30 3 *9. 86310. 31 8.70:1:074 10. 5610. 71 5 30 6 '12. 7812. *7.40i1.94 5.20:1;089 5 s0 24 16. 42:1;0. 30 '15. 203:1. 32 "6. soil. 12

TABLE 19 EXAMPLE 26 Monoamgge oxidaje) 20 Acute lethal toxicity activity 2 upta e Concen- (a) Animal: male and female mice, ddN-stram, wei htration 11./60 Percent in i 1 22 g Drugs g./ml. min. inhibition Observation: one dose10 mice, one week-observa- Control 5 ti Dehydroeor daline 10- 21.9 2.1 25

y 10- 21.4 0.5 TABLE 21 Administra- LD50 in 4 Iproniazid fig g tron route Sex mgJkg. Fraction B I.v. M 52,1 F 47.9 8.0. M 90.0 EXAMPLE 25 F 89.0

Effect on catechole-O-methyltransferase activity in vitro .0- 1 3 1 I e Adult Wistar male rats were sacrificed and the l ver Dehydmmydafine M we was quickly removed. The liver was then homogenized F M together with isotonic potassium chloride solution. From 8.0. M 17 0 this homogenate, the partially purified enzyme was finally F obtained by the method according to I. Axelrod (J. Biol. P o M 6 Chemist, vol. 233, p. 702, 1958). To norepinephrine F 30 solutions in various concentrations were added the partially purified enzyme together with dehydrocorydaline in various concentrations. As the control, the partially purified enzyme Was added alone to the norepinephrine solutions. Then, normethanephrine formed from norepinephrine was measured by the modified method of H. Ozawa (Yakugaku-Zasshi, vol. 87, p. 345, 1967). The results are shown in Table 20.

TABLE 20 Coneentrtion of dehydrocorydaline (g./ml.)

Concentration of Normethanephrine formed The results obtained in Examples 22, 23, 24 and 25 demonstrated that dehydrocorydaline altered the pressor response of epinephrine and greatly inhibited the uptake of catecholamine, while dehydrocorydaline did not inhibit both of the monoamine oxidase activity in vitro and in vivo and the catechole-O-methyltransferase activity in vitro. There has been reported by Bass and Patterson that catecholamine exerted a gastric anti-secretory effect in rats, and in general, drugs increasing the biological half life of catecholamine decreased gastic secretion (P. Bass and M. A. Patterson: I. Phrmacol., vol. 156, p. 143, 19 67). It is suggested that the anti-secretory action of dehydrocorydaline is affected by altering the catecholamine activity.

N01E.I.v.=intravenous; S.c.=subcutaneous; P.o.=by mouth;

(b) Animal: male and female rats, Wistar-strain, weighing 150-170 g.

Observation: one dose5 rats, one weekobservation.

A clinical study was made covering 20 male patients and 3 female patients, a total of 23, ages ranging from 17 to 58 years. Of these, 11 patients had gastric ulcer, 11 duodenal ulcer and 1 had an anastomotic ulcer. In

all of them, ulcer niche was observed by roentgenogram examination. The duration of symptoms before the treatment varied from four days to six years. The active substance, in tablets obtained in Example 5, was administered orally four times per day (two' tablets per time)"" to each patient. Thus mg. of the active substance was given to each patient per day of treatment. The period of treatment ranged from 7 to 120 days. The pertinent data from this study appear in Table 23.

TABLE 23 Main Treatment Side Sex Diagnosis Medication subjective symptom evaluation efieet M Gastric ulcer...- 100 mg. 33 days Epigastrlc pain... Excellent M Duodenal ulcer 100 mg.X35 days Epigastric fullness ood M d 100 mg.X26 days.- Epigastrio pain -...d

100 mg. 35 days.- d Excellen 100 mg.X47 days.. ...-do Constipation.

100 mg. 7 days.-. Good... 100 mg.X60 days ..d

100 mg.X36 days.. Excellent. Pyrosis, fever. 100 mg.X34 days.- ood 100 mg.X35 days.. Excellent... Constipation. 100 mg. 10 days. Good Pyrosis. 100 mg. days.. -do 24 100 mg. l4 days ..do ..do 31 100 mg. 7 days-.. Nausea, epigastric fullness... Not improved. 45 100 mg.Xl2 days.. Epigastn'c pain ..do 56 100 mg.X57 days.. Pyrosis, epigastric pain Fever. 17 100 mg. 30 days.. Epigastrio pain- 53 100 mg.X34 days Pyrosis, epigastn'c par 28 100 mg. 40 days. Abdominal pain. 39 M Gastric ulcer- 100 mg. 35 days.. Epigastrie pain- 22 M Duodenal ulcer- 100 mg. 34 days.. Nausea 28 M Gastric ulcer 100 mg. 120 days- Epigastrie pain- 37 F Duodcnalulccr 100 mg. (100 days ..do

The results based upon subjective symptoms are pre- TABLE sented 1n Table 24. Of the 17 patients describing pain before the treatment Such symptoms diminished Within Diagnosis Dlmll'llS ed Decreased Non-effective Obscure a week after the start of treatment for 14 patients. In Gastic u lcc rflu- 4 2 2 3 two patients pain recurred during treatment in spite of Duo 5 4 0 2 diminishing once at from 4 to 7th day after the start of treatment and thus the treatment is considered non-elfective. In 7 of 8 patients describing epigastric fullness asso- TABLE 25 ciated withsour or maldodorous eructations, the symp- Method Increase No change Decrease toms diminished w1th1n a week after the start of treat- Bas1csecret10n 2 0 7 ment. In the sub ects bearing acidlsmus such as pyrosis, Histamine secretion 1 0 7 eructation and acid eructatron, nausea or vomiting, the 40 evaluation of the elfect is somewhat uncertain due to the limited number of such patients. EXAMPLE 28 The results in regard to ulcer niche are shown in Table 25. Of 11 patients with gastric ulcer, disappearance of the Chmcal and Pharmacologlcal study niche was observed in 4 and decrease of the niche in 2. To 2 male patients and 1 female patient having gastric For 11 patients with duodenal ulcer, disappearance of the niche was observed in 5 and decrease of the niche in 4. The least favorable result occurred with the patient having an anastomotic ulcer. The data pertaining to the counteraction of gastric hyperacidity are shown in Table 26. The effect was investigated by using the basal and histaminestimulated gastric secretion methods (J. B. Kirsner et al.: Gastroenterogy, vol. 23, pp. 199-218, 1953). Decrease of free acidity was observed in 7 of 9 cases tested by the basal gastric secretion method and in 7 of 8 cases tested by the histamine-stimulated gastric secretion method.

There was a minimum of such undesirable side effects as mydriasis, dryness of mouth, retention of urine, palpitation and constipation commonly associated with the administration of anti-cholinergic drugs. Although constipation appeared in 2 patients, pyrosis in 2 patients and fever in 2 patients, it was not necessary to discontinue administration of the drug and these symptoms spontaneously diminished.

ucler was administered orally dehydrocorydaline in a dose of mg. per day (four times per day) for one month. Before and after the treatment, the alkali time by means of alkali test after giving sodium bicarbonate as a stimulant was measured by using pH telemetering capsule and compared to each other.

As the results, there was observed a prolongation of the alkali time and an improvement in the gastric juice secretory pattern.

To other 2 male patients was administered orally dehydrocorydaline in a dose of 40 mg. or 60 mg. per day for one month and the stable pH level of gastric juice and the alkali time by means of alkali test were measured in the same manner as described above to result in a prolongation of the alkali time and an ascent of the stable pH level.

To another male patient was administered orally dehydrocorydaline in a dose of 40 mg. Then, the secretory volume of gastric juice and further the volume of hydrochloric acid and pepsin in gastric juice were inhibited.

EXAMPLE 29 Clinical studies were made covering 75 male patients and 32 female patients, a total of 107, ages ranging from 20 to 55 years. Of these, 88 patients had gastric ulcer, 14 duodenal ulcer, 3 anastomotic ulcer and 2 others. Dehydrocorydaline was administered orally in a dose of 30- mg. per day (three to four times per day). The period of treatment ranged from 7 to about 60 days.

The results in 97 patients having epigastric pain are shown in Table 27.

TABLE 27 What is claimed is: Disappeared 1. A pharmaceutical composition for treating peptic TT New ulcers comprising as the essential active ingredient de- Diagnosis week weeks weeks weeks Relieved relieved hydrocorydaline chloride in admixture with a pharmaceu- Gastric ulcer 39 17 3 2 2 20 tically acceptable carrier, said composition being in the Duodenalulcer 3 2 2 1 Anastomotic u1ecr 1 1 1 f rm of a tablet contamrng 15.0 mg. of dehydrocorydaline chloride.

In 99 patients in which 86 patients had gastric ulcer and 13 patients had duodenal ulcer, ulcer niche was observed A method for treating peptic ulcers which by roentgenogram examination. of 52 patients, there was prises orally administering to a peptic ulcer bearing host observed ulcer niche for one month and of 47 patients for a dally dosage of about t0 7 P of y 2 months or more. The results are shown in Table 28. weight of dehydrocorydallne chlorlde.

TABLE 28 Period of observing ulcer niche Within one month 2 months or more Non- Non- Diagnosis Healed Improved improved Healed Improved improved Gastric ulcer 7 12 18 16 7 Duodenal ulcer 3 7 3 4 1 1 3. A method of treating peptic ulcers which comprises orally administering to a peptic ulcer bearing host dehydrocorydaline chloride in an amount of to 120 mg.

In 68 patients including 20 recurred patients, the effectiveness of dehydrocorydaline was observed according to the location of ulcer. The results are shown in per day. Table References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS TABLE 29 30 3,272,707 9/1966 Tedeschi 424-258 Firstoccmence Recurrence 3,165,443 1/1965 Lafon 424-258 Now FOREIGN PATENTS Location of ulcer Eficctive efiective Effective effective 477,100 1967 France 8333 13 r p u i? i 3 i OTHER REFERENCES Duorlemlm 7 4 The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics (2nd ed.), The MacMillan Co., 1955, New York, p. 1040.

Chemical Abstracts, vol. 57, 23310.

Chemical Abstracts, vol. 47, item 6048b, 1953.

Chemical Abstracts, vol. 53, item 13390e, 1959.

Chemical Abstracts, vol. 59, item 688f, 1963.

Chemical Abstracts, vol. 60, item 8073c, 1964.

There was not observed any undesirable side eifect in 94 patients, while constipation slightly appeared in 9 patients, dryness of mouth in 2 patients, eruption in 1 patient and diarrhea in 1 patient.

Furthermore, laboratory data of liver function in 37 $55353 gg; i gg }g g x d b Patients, blood Picture in 14 patients, kidney function Merck & Co New York p y in 4 patients and physical examination in 4 patients were Evers: fi chemistry of Drugs," 124427, Low obtained. As the results, before and after the adminisdon, Ernest Benn Limited (1926). tration of dehydrocorydaline, there was not observed any abnormal symptom. SAM ROSEN, Primary Examiner 

1. A PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION FOR TREATING PEPTIC ULCERS COMPRISING AS THE ESSENTIALLY ACTIVE INGREDIENT DEHYDROCORYDALINE CHLORIDE IN ADMIXTURE WITH A PHARMACEUTICALLY ACCEPTABLE CARRIER, SAID COMPOSITION BEING IN THE FORM OF A TALET CONTAINING 15.0 MG. OF DEHYDROCORYDALINE CHLORIDE. 